Method of welding brake beams



March 1954 w. H. BASELT ET AL 2,671,952

METHOD OF WELDING BRAKE BEAMS Filed Feb. 6, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 16, 1954 w. H. BASELT ET AL- METHOD OF WELDING BRAKE BEAMS t 6 4. w 5 6 a 4 0 3 w u L wwmm Filed Feb. 6, 1948 March 1954 W..H.'BASELT ET AL METHOD OF WELDING BRAKE BEAMS a Sheets-Sheet s F 'iled Feb.- 6, 1948 INVEN TORS.

a w a 7 m Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED OFFICE 21 11,952 ME'HIQD F WELDING BRAKE eams W i e: Bases, Ch l a d .i e Wh 'fhe da med, -i i o 's to me ian Steel F n ries, cmeaes a o i ason or New ersey- Animat on "February 6, 1.81.8. Se i l No. 6, 0

This invention relates to railway brake beams Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8--8 of and more particularly to a novel method of Figure and fabricating a truss type beam, The present ape Figures 9 to 13 illustrate the novel method as plication is a continuationeinepart of our 60- applied to still another form of brake beam,

pending application, Serial No. 609,275.. filed 5 Figure 9 being a fragmentary top plan view of August 6, 1945, and issued March 14, 1950., as the brake beam parts prior to Welding, Figure 10 Patent No. 2,500,232 for Brake Beam. being an end view of the structure shown in A general object of the present i vent s t ur F g r 1 b i g a p p v w w t provide a novel method of fabricat ng a truss portions of the structure broken away to clarify type beam wherein the tension and compression 10 the arrangement, Figure 12 being a sectional members and the brake head at each end at h vi w n he l 2- 2 of Figure 9, F re 12A beam are welded together by a single operation, being a view comparable to Figure 12 but sub- A more specific object of the invention is to sequent to the welding operation and with the devise a method of connecting the brake beam dam block removed, and Figure 13 being a secperts at each end f the t uss structure by e .16 tienel V e on t l n l3l3 of Figure single weld extending longitudinally of the beam Describing the novel process in detail and reand aifording an extremely strong connection ferring first to the fabrication of the beam shown capable of withstanding the loads tQ which such in Figures t 4, the brake beam parts which beams are subjected in railway service. are conventionally formed of steel are assem- Another object of the invention is to provide bled, in the manner shown in the drawings and the compression and brake head members with are then welded together in a single process at aligned slots through which they tension inemeach end of the beam, only one end of which her is welded. Y is shown in the drawings inasmuch as the struc- Still another object of the invention is to afture is S metrical about its transverse center ford a process, such as above-descrihed, wherein :5 line.

the weld metal is dammed at strategic points The brake beam comprises a truss structure during a welding operation. e ing a channel or Ut-section compression A more specific object of the invention is to mer'n er 2, a tension member or element t, and apply a readily removabledam of nonaferrous a fulcrum 6 connected therebetween, said fulmetal having greater heat conductivity than the crum being slotted as at 8 to accommodate an steel brake beam parts in a suitable position to associated brake lever (not shown). Each end dam the weld metal at opposite sides of theten- Of, the beam is provided with a brake head It! sion member within the slotted portions of the comprising a box-section portion including top related parts. and bottom Walls [2 and M a front wall 16,. and

The foregoing and other objects and advana rear wall is slotted as at 20 for the purpose tages of the invention will became apparent from hereinafter described. The outer or outboard a consideration of the following specification and end of the boxesection portion of the brake head the accompanying drawi l S. wherein: offset to, afford a relatively narrow guide p Figure 1 is a fragmentary brolgzen top plan iew or boss 22 projecting outwardly from the brake of a brake beam fabricated according tn the head and adapted for reception within a guide novel process, with the noneferrous darn or chill bracket of an associated truck frame (not shown).

block in applied position; The top and bottom walls l2 and I4 are con- Figure 2 is an end elevation of the structure neeted at the outer extremity thereof by an end shown in Figure 1; wall 24 cored away as at 2 5 for convenient Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views re- 4 foundry practice. It may be noted that the end spectively in the vertical planes indicated by the wall 25 is provided adjacent the rear extremity lines 33 and 4+4 of Figure l thereof with an inwardly extending lug 21 be- Figure 5 is a fragmental broken top plan View tween the offset portions of the top and bottom of a different type of beam fa ric ted, eqo r wells l2 and I4 and defining a so k therewith ing to the novel method, wi h. the, den: or chill receiving the outboard end of the tension memblock in applied position; be): 4 The lug 21 presents a diagonal guide Figure 6 is an end elevation of the'struetur sorteoe 2Q engaging the dia n nsion m mshown in Figure 5; her 4 a? the outer extremity thereof. The inner Figure '7 is a fragmentary rear elevationalyiew extremities of the top and bottom walls l2 and of the structure shown in e; F M are connected y a i n nd w l 8 ig?- ure 3) with a slot or socket (Figure 1) receiving the tension member 4 to afford convenient guide means therefor.

It may be noted, as best seen in Figures 1 and e, that the tension member 4 at its outboard end is received within a complementary slot in the rear web of the compression member and is seated against the rear wall I8 of the box-section portion of the brake head, the outboard end of the tension member 4 being diagonally sheared with respect to its longitudinal center line to afford a relatively great weld area contacting the slotted portion of the rear brake head wall !8.

The front wall It of the brake head is of conventional arcuate form and is reinforced by top and bottom vertical webs 38, 38 merging respectively with the top and bottom brake head walls l2 and I4 which are slightly offset at and d2 respectively, adjacent their forward extremities which merge with the beforementioned front wall is thus regarded as an inner wall relative to the brake head wall [8 which is regarded as an outer wall. The block comprises spaced legs 3 snugly embracing the tension member 3 and the block is provided with a diagonal seat at the inner ends of the legs 34, complementary to and engaging the tension member 15, as best seen in Figure l. The block constitutes a chill or dam which freezes the weld metal immediately upon coming in contact with the block and thus prevents escaping of the molten metal from the welded connection during the welding operation.

The block 32, as best seen in Figure l, is seated against the rear wall of the compression member along both lateral margins of the slot 35 in said rear wall.

When the block is in assembled position, as

shown in the drawings, the brake beam parts are welded together in a single welding pass or operation through the slot 29. This weld is pref erably started at the inboard extremity of the slot 20 and is extended to a point outboard the 1 compression member 2 and is preferably spaced from the outboard end of the tension member *5, thereby preventing leakage of the weld metal along the surfaces indicated at 29. However, if desired, the weld may be connected to the outboard end of the tension member A inasmuch as the lug 2'! is formed and arranged to function as a dam which prevents the escape of substantial quantities of the weld metal. After the parts have been welded together, the block 32 is removed from the structure by any suitable tool engaged with an car 33 formed on the inboard end of the block.

Thus the steel brake beam parts at each end of the beam are welded together in a single welding operation which fuses the tension and compression members and the brake head into an integral structure which is capable of withstanding the loads incurred in railway service and is also 1111- usually light due to the fact that-filler metal is 4 eliminated by the provision of the readily removal dam or chill block 32 during the welding operation. The use of the block also eliminates the necessity for providing close fitting connections between the contacting portions of the brake beam parts to dam the weld metal.

The process is next described in connection with a standard A. A. R. brake beam in which the guide lugs at the ends of the beam are eliminated, as will be apparent from a consideration of the structure shown in Figures 5 to 8.

Each end of the beam shown in the latter figure is provided with a brake head, generally designated fit, comprising a box-section portion including top and bottom walls 62 and 6A offset adjacent their forward ends at 66 and E8 respectively, to merge with an arcuate portion it of the front brake head wall '52, said arcuate portion It defining a hanger slot 14 adapted for the reception of an associated brake hanger (not shown). The box-section portion of the brake head also comprises a rear wall iii slotted as at 18 to accommodate a weld as hereinafter described.

The top and bottom walls 62 and 6:3 are connected at the outer or outboard extremities thereof by an end wall 89 slotted as at 32 for the reception of the tension member 5d, and the end wall is provided on the outer surface thereof with a hollow projection or lug 8 receiving the outer end of the tension member Ell which is snugly fitted within a socket or slot within the lug or projection The compression member 52 is snugly fitted within the box-section portion of the brake head, the top and bottom webs of the compression member being in snug abutment with the top and bottom walls 62 and 6d, as best seen in Figure 8, and the rear web 88 of said compression member being in abutment with the rear web It of the brake head.

As best seen in Figures 5 and 8, the rear web 38 of the compression member is provided with a slot extending inwardly from the outer extremity of the compression member and registering with the before-mentioned slot '58.

It may be noted that the offset portions 66 and 58 of the top and bottom brake head walls 62 and 64 are integrally formed with an inner end wall 96 comprising a slot or socket 98 receiving the tension member 54 to afford guide means therefor, as in the previously described embodiment.

The front wall 12 of the brake head is provided on the forward face thereof with end and intermediate lugs I00, Hill adapted for connection in the conventional manner to associated brake shoe means (not shown).

After the brake beams have been assembled in the manner shown in Figures 5 to 8, a bifurcated dam or chill block, generally designated 92 and formed of non-ferrous metal having relatively great heat conductivity, is fitted within the compression member 52 in snug abutment with the top and bottom and rear webs thereof. As in the previously described embodiment, the block 92 is bifurcated with legs snugly embracing the tension member 54 and is provided with a complementary diagonal surface at the inboard extremity of the legs snugly engaging the diagonal surface of the tension member 54. The block is also provided with an ear 93 for convenient removal thereof, as described in connection with Figures 1 to 4.

With the chill block in applied position, a single weld is laid in the slots 13 and 96 preferably commencing at the inboard extremities thereof and extending outwardly into the socket 86 in a single continuous welding pass or operation fusing the tension and compression members and the brake head into an integral structure, whereupon the block 92 is removed by means of the ear 93.

Figures 9 to 13 disclose the novel process as applied to a beam similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4 except that the brake head is fitted within the compression member of the beam. In this beam the front wall I02 of the brake head I03 is provided on its rear surface with a boxsection portion I04, the outboard end of which is relatively narrow to afford a hollow inclined guide portion I 05 adapted for reception with the guide bracket of an associated truck frame (not shown). The box-section portion I04 is fitted within a channel or U-section compression member I06 in abutment with the rear web I01 and the tension member I08 extends through a diagonal passage through portion I04 and bears against a diagonal guide surface I I at the inner end of said passage and against diagonal guide surfaces II2 and H4 at the outer end of the passage. The surface II2 is formed on the rear wall II5 of the brake head and the surface H4 is formed on the outer end wall I I6 of the brake head portion I05. The wall H6 is provided with a lug II8 to increase the bearing area of the surface H4.

The rear web of the compression member I06 is provided with a slot I20, the outboard end of which is registered with a brake head slot defined by the surfaces II2 and H4, whereby the sheared end I22 of the tension member I08 may be welded in a single operation to the brak head wall H5 and the rear web of the compression member I06 in a single operation, as hereinafter described.

With the brake beam parts in assembled position as shown in Figures 9 to 11, a bifurcated dam or chill block I24, preferably of nonferrous metal characterized by greater heat conductivity than that of the steel brake beam parts, is inserted within the compression member, as best seen in Figures 9 and 12 to 13, with a complementary diagonal surface I26 of the block bearing snugly against the diagonal surface of the tension member I08, as best seen in Figure 13 and as heretofore described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4. The block I24, as best seen in Figures 12 and 13, bears snugly against the rear wall II5 of the brake head to afford a chill or dam adapted to freeze the weld metal, as hereinafter described. With the block I24 in the position shown in Figures 9, 12 and 13, a weld is laid through the slot I beginning preferably at the inboard end thereof and proceeding outboardly against the sheared end I22 of the tension member I08 whereupon the parts are united in an integral weld indicated at I28 in Figure 12A. Preferably the weld is terminated at a point slightly inboard of the outboard extremities of the tension member I08; however, if desired, the weld may be continued to the outboard extremity of the beam and a chill block I30 (Fi ure 9) may be positioned against the outboard end of the brake head portion I05 to chill the weld metal and prevent flow thereof along the surface II4 into the hollow portion I05. The block I30 is preferably formed of a non-ferrous metal having greater heat conductivity than the steel brake beam parts, as heretofore discussed in connection with the blocks 32, 92 and I24.

After the weld I 28 has been completed, the block I24 is removed by means of an ear I32 formed thereon and the brake beam parts are united in a single integral structure by the weld I28 (Figure 12A).

It is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited by the above-described applications of the novel process which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation inasmuch as obvious variations from the described practices will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a method of fabricating a steel truss type brake beam, the steps of first positioning a welding edge of a tension member into one of a pair of registered slots through brake head and compression member walls, respectively, while positioning a bifurcated chill against opposite sides of the tension member to snugly embrace the latter and against both lateral margins and inner end of said slot, then simultaneously welding said walls and said edge to each other by depositing weld metal in the other slot by a single welding pass from one end to the other end thereof, whereby the members are fused together and fiow of weld metal through said one slot, around the tension member, is dammed by said chill, and then, after the weld metal has solidified, removing the chill.

2. In a method of welding a truss type brake beam comprising a U section compression member, a tension member, and a brake head having a rear hollow portion of rectangular section, steps of first telescoping said U section and said rear hollow rectangular section to register slots in abutting walls of said respective sections, one wall being disposed rearwardly' of the beam as to the other wall, while positioning a welding portion at the extremity of said tension member in position to substantially close the forward opening of said registered slots, and while positioning a bifurcated chill against the forward side of the forward wall along both lateral margins and the inner end of the slot in said forward wall and against the sides of said welding portion of said tension member, and then simultaneously welding said walls and said portion together at said slots.

WALTER H. BASELT. LOREN L. WHITNEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 969,861 Haskell Sept. 13, 1910 1,924,121 Jasper Aug. 29, 1933 2,170,121 Busch Aug. 22, 1939 2,185,463 Howard Jan. 2, 1940 2,233,455 Larson Mar. 4, 1941 2,239,186 Anderson Apr. 22, 1941 2,268,961 Raymond Jan. 6, 1942 2,294,650 Bechtle Sept. 1, 1942 2,306,612 Buehner Dec. 29, 1942 2,356,720 Aurien Aug. 22, 1944 2,493,913 Busch Jan. 10, 1950 2,500,232 Baselt Mar. 14. 1950 

